Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY —My question is addressed to the Minister for the Status of Women. Will the minister inform the House of any government initiatives aimed at increasing women's participation in the electoral process?

Mrs MOYLAN (Status of Women) —I thank the member for Dawson for her question. At the last election the Liberal and National parties made history in this place by presiding over the largest number of women ever elected to the federal parliament. This was done without the introduction of a quota system. We have no intention of introducing a quota system to get more women into parliament, but we do have every intention of increasing the number of women in parliament.

We have historically had the support of women voters in the community, and we will continue to have the support of those voters because the unprecedented number of women who have been elected to our side of this House are continuing to effectively represent the interests of women in the community. This government is also giving to Australian women issues of substance. We are looking at issues of substance for Australian women, unlike Labor, who simply talked about issues to do with women.

We will not patronise women. Despite the patronising quotas and the cheap talk of Labor about getting more women into this parliament, Labor is preoccupied with a preselection process which is dominated by bitter brawls and standover tactics. The level of dissatisfaction within the Labor women's ranks is unprecedented. We have seen a public protest by Labor women in the seat of Melbourne Ports—an unprecedented public protest. They were protesting against the preselection of Michael Danby in the seat of Melbourne—

Mr Beazley —What's this got to do with it?

Mr SPEAKER —The minister will direct her response to the question asked. She seems to be wandering a little from the subject.

Mrs MOYLAN —The fact is that Labor women have spoken out. It is not the first episode we have seen in their preselection process. Jacki Willox was forced to quit, and Mr Danby said that—

Mr SPEAKER —The minister will respond to the specific question. She is getting way off beam at the moment.

Mrs MOYLAN —When Labor women complained about Mr Danby's—

Mr SPEAKER —The minister will answer the question. You really are way off the question at the moment, Minister.

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr SPEAKER —Before the minister responds, if members of the opposition wish the minister to reply, I suggest they keep quiet.

Mrs Crosio interjecting—

Mr SPEAKER —The honourable member for Prospect will keep quiet. Minister, could you respond to the question and not go onto extraneous matters.

Mrs MOYLAN —As I have said, we made history in this place with the unprecedented number of women who were elected, and we have done it without quotas and we have done it without the so-called Emily's List. I note with interest that the Labor Party have said they will now use $40,000 from Emily's List to inquire into why women are not supporting the Labor Party. Mr Speaker, I can tell you why they are not supporting Labor.

Mr Beazley —Mr Speaker, I raise a point of order. The minister is making a mockery of your repeated rulings on the question of relevance.

Mr SPEAKER —I ask the minister to resume her answer but, in doing so, to address the question and to draw her answer to completion.

Mrs MOYLAN —It is these kinds of patronising processes that send a very strong signal to women out in the community that Labor have turned their backs on women, and that is something that we will not do. We will put in place processes that support women and address the real issues that affect women and their lives.